Partners
Tracy Morgan
Managing Partner
Tracy Morgan
Partner
Tracy is Managing Partner of the firm. She has a Puggle called Stanley who often accompanies her to the office.
Tracy joined the firm in 2003. She has extensive experience as a Criminal Lawyer. She has a particular interest in representing people with ASD and is an Ambassador for St Helens Rugby League Disability Team and Treasurer for Connect, a charity in St Helens which supports disabled young people.
Tracy graduated from The University of Teesside in Accounting with Law BA (Hons.) in 1998. She then completed the Common Professional examination in Law and Legal Practice Course at the University of Northumbria . Tracy qualified as a Solicitor in May 2003 and was admitted as a duty solicitor in 2004 having completed Stage 1 of the Criminal Accreditation Scheme.
Liam Ferris
Partner
Liam Ferris
Partner
I am a criminal defence solicitor and work exclusively in the area of criminal law. After I obtained an LLB Honours Degree from Cardiff University in 1990 and upon qualification as a solicitor in 1995, I began to work as a criminal defence solicitor.
I have extensive experience of advising suspects in the police station in relation to a vast array of criminal allegations and have represented thousands of defendants involved in criminal prosecutions. I have represented defendants in relation to a variety of serious criminal cases including high profile murder cases, misconduct in public office cases and I regularly act in cases involving serious sexual wrongdoing.
I successfully defended one of two suspects charged with Cheshire’s first ‘no body’ murder. He was acquitted after a lengthy trial and considerable hard work by myself and the defence team.
My experience of defending in drug cases is particularly extensive, from a multi-billion pound international importation case (said to be the UK’s largest ever) to county-lines conspiracies.
I defend in proceeds of crime confiscation cases, and in one case saved my client from an order for the confiscation of in excess of £12,000,000.
Ian Weights
Partner
Ian Weights
Partner
David Woods
Senior Partner
David Woods
Partner
Dave qualified as a solicitor in 1984, having obtained a degree in law from the University of Birmingham before completing his final exams after a year at the College of Law in Chester. He returned home to Liverpool to complete his training with a local firm. Dave has been working as a criminal lawyer in Liverpool and latterly Knowsley for 34 years. He is a higher court advocate and heads the criminal law team at JR Levins Solicitors having joined the firm in 2002. Dave mainly works on crown court cases but he also represents clients in the magistrates court on a regular basis.
Over many years Dave has accepted instructions from falsely accused teachers and carers. He has been involved in many high profile and complex enquiries and has developed expertise in this area that frequently results in instructions from outside the Merseyside area. In recent years he has been involved in advising on regulatory matters including matters relating to safeguarding issues. Dave has experience of health and safety prosecutions and has advised companies facing OFSTED investigation in relation to the running of care and children’s homes.
Outside of work Dave is the chair of governors at Calderstones School. He is an associate governor of Huyton with Roby CE Primary school. He is the Chair of Woolton FC and has an active involvement in the administration of local amateur football.
Department Heads
Michelle Fisher
Head of Conveyancing
Michelle Fisher
Department Head
Michelle joined JR Levins in August 2025 as Head of Conveyancing. Michelle qualified in 1999 and has spent many years working for firms in Warrington & Runcorn firstly as a conveyancing solicitor and then latterly in conveyancing management.
Outside of work, Michelle is a keen reader (primarily of historical non-fiction/fiction, science fiction and thrillers) and, to offset the sedentary nature of this, attempts weekly ballet classes and is beginning to learn archery. She can also be found supporting Widnes Vikings RFL having been a season ticket holder for many years
Karla Cope
Head of Wills and Probate
Karla Cope
Department Head
Karla joined us in 2024 from her own Estate Planning practice to become Head of Wills and Probate at JR Levins Solicitors. She has nearly two decades of experience in Estate Planning and Probate Administration dealing with a range of clients from care home fee planning to business succession planning.
Karla said: “I am delighted to work for JR Levins Solicitors having consulted here for 4 years. In my role, I am committed to leveraging technology to create better experiences for clients, ensuring that their needs are met with greater efficiency and care.”
Jon Heath
Head of Civil Litigation and Employment Law
Jon Heath
Department Head
Jon is Head of Civil Litigation and Employment Law at JR Levins.
He has acted in many different types of cases and many different courts and tribunals, both as solicitor and advocate. He began his first ever case while still in law school – a discrimination claim against a major airline on behalf of his disabled aunt, which resulted in a win that was reported in the national press.
Jon has a particular interest in free speech and belief discrimination, and is frequently instructed by people who have been discriminated against because of their gender critical beliefs.
Jannine Jenkins
Merseyside Head of Family
Jannine Jenkins
Department Head
Jannine joined the firm in May 2019 and has a lot of experience in family law with a particular interest in children matters including private and public law. Jannine also deals with divorce and financial settlements arising from divorce or separation.
Jannine graduated from Bolton University in 2002 with a BA Hons degree in law and psychology. She then completed the GDL through the College of Law and completed this in 2005. Jannine then completed her LPC at the College of Law, Chester and completed this course in 2008. Jannine qualified as a Solicitor in 2008.
Jannine is approachable and understanding and is able to guide clients through very difficult times. Jannine is the head of our Family Law division.
Louise Bauress
Merseyside Magistrates Head
Louise Bauress
Department Head
Louise is the Head of our busy Magistrates’ Department and a Criminal Advocate
Having initially qualified as Police Station Accredited Representative in 1999, Louise studied at John Moores University and went on to become a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2005, and in 2008, became one of the very first lawyers in the country to be awarded the status of CILEX Criminal Advocate. Louise is also a qualified Duty Advocate and Legal Aid Supervisor.
Louise is one of our longest serving members of staff having been with the firm since 2003.
Louise predominantly represents defendants in the Magistrates’ Courts, dealing with all aspects of criminal litigation across the Northwest and beyond. As well as this, Louise regularly attends police stations to advise clients on some of the most serious of offences, including murder, sexual and drug offences.
Solicitors / CILEX
Gary Schooler
Solicitor
Gary Schooler
Solicitor
Gary qualified as a Solicitor in 1992 and has lived and worked in Warrington for over 30 years.
Gary is a skilled and enterprising Defence Lawyer who has experience of a wide range of Criminal Law cases, including many clients charged with serious offences, such as Murder, Drug Trafficking, Conspiracies of various kinds and Fraud/Money Laundering.
One of Gary’s most high-profile cases involved his successful defence of two Company Directors charged with illegally selling military equipment to the Sri Lankan Government.
Gary is a dedicated and meticulous lawyer who will frequently advance defences and technical legal arguments overlooked by others.
Before joining JR Levins in January 2025, Gary was previously a Partner at FDR Law, a regional law firm based in Warrington, and more recently the national law firm Taylor Rose.
Gary has served on the Legal Services Commission Costs Appeal Committee and provided ‘pro bono’ legal advice at the Warrington Citizens Advice Bureau for many years.
Zoe Keene
Solicitor
Zoe Keene
Solicitor
I am a criminal defence solicitor, working exclusively in criminal law. I obtained a degree in Biochemistry and Genetics and then converted to Law. I did my training contract at Jones Robertson and have now been qualified for 25 years, practising solely in crime in the Magistrates Court.
I have gained a lot of experience dealing with vulnerable youths and adults with mental illness and learning disabilities. I am also a duty solicitor.
Mark Lever
Solicitor
Mark Lever
Solicitor
I am an experienced criminal solicitor and Higher Court Advocate. My areas of expertise include trial advocacy representing defendants across an extensive range of criminal offences, including cases of domestic violence, assault, theft and fraud.
I have represented children as young as 11 who have found themselves caught up in the criminal justice system and I advise young people in the police station and the Youth Court.
I appear regularly in Magistrates and Crown Courts throughout Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
As a proficient advocate and accredited police station representative, I support clients from the initial police investigation to representation at court.
Joe Bleasdale
Solicitor
Joe Bleasdale
Solicitor
Joe graduated from University of Leeds in 2012 with a 2:1 degree in Law LLB, before completing the LPC at the College of Law, York, receiving commendation. He qualified in London as a solicitor in 2017 before moving back to the North. Joe initially practised in Chester for a couple of years before moving to practice in Liverpool, where he has been since 2019
Joe joined Levins in June 2022. Originally from Burnley, Lancashire, he now feels very much at home in his adopted city.
Joe specialises in criminal defence and is duty qualified. This involves attending magistrates’ courts and police stations across Merseyside, the North West and in some cases, nationally to represent individuals. He is also a qualified supervisor.
Alice Morrow
Solicitor
Alice Morrow
Solicitor
Alice graduated from University of Liverpool in 2020 with a degree in Law before completing her Legal Practice Course with The University of Law.
Alice joined JR Levins in 2022 as a Paralegal in the Family Department having previously worked in Mental Health and Human Rights Law, assisting on Court of Protection matters. Alice’s dedication quickly earned her a training contract with the firm, and she qualified as a Solicitor in 2024.
Alice is now a Solicitor in the Family Department managing a varied case load, including public and private children matters, with a particular focus on divorce and financial matters. Alice deals with both Legally Aided and privately paying matters and prides herself on guiding client’s through incredibly stressful times in their family life through open and honest communication.
Outside of her legal career, Alice is a passionate supporter of Everton Football Club, finding the experience of supporting the team to be both character-building and a source of resilience – traits that she brings into her professional life.
Mark Robertson
Solicitor
Mark Robertson
Solicitor
I qualified in 1981 after graduating from Manchester University with LLB honours in Law.
I specialise in residential conveyancing and re-mortgage work, with over 40 years experience in this area.
I can also offer advice in commercial property matters both lease hold and free hold together with business transfers such as newsagents, takeaway business, and manufacturing businesses both in and outside the borough of Halton.
Finally, I also prepare wills, obtain grants of probate, letters of administration, Estate administration and Powers of Attorney.
Tom Harvey
Solicitor
Tom Harvey
Solicitor
Tom graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2022 with a first class law degree.
Tom joined JR Levins in 2023 as a paralegal in the Civil Litigation and Employment department, while also completing his LPC and LLM achieving a distinction. His assistance and dedication on various cases across the department quickly led to him earning his training contract with the firm, and he qualified as a Solicitor in early 2025.
He manages a varied case load, regularly dealing with contentious probate and housing law, but also having a keen interest in discrimination and complex personal injury claims. However, Tom also often assists our Crime department, representing a host of clients as an accredited police station representative having qualified in 2025.
Outside of the office, Tom is a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club, but he also enjoys non-league football having close ties to MSB Woolton FC in the North West Counties Football League.
Caseworkers
Debbie Kerwin
Conveyancing Executive
Debbie Kerwin
Caseworker
Debbie Joined the residential property team of JR Levins in July 2024 as a Conveyancing Executive.
Debbie has been working in residential conveyancing for over 25 years and has acquired a good knowledge and experience in that time in dealing with residential sales, purchase, re-mortgage, transfer of equity and leasehold transactions.
Debbie enjoys socialising at the weekends, and spending time with family and travelling.
Louise Byrne
Conveyancing Executive
Louise Byrne
Caseworker
Louise is a Residential Conveyancing Executive who joined the company in May 2021. Louise is based in our Widnes office, dealing with freehold and leasehold properties, sales, purchases, transfers and re-mortgages.
Carla Wright
Conveyancing Executive
Carla Wright
Caseworker
Carla Wright joined Levins Solicitors in 2011, and has risen to the position of Conveyancing Executive and is a senior member of the team. Carla deals with all aspects of residential conveyancing, including freehold and leasehold properties, sales, purchases, re-mortgages, transfer of equity and right to buy transactions.
Adele Sephton
Crown Court Executive
Adele Sephton
Caseworker
Adele has 25 years experience of working within Criminal Law.
During that time she has performed a variety of roles, but for the last few years has concentrated on dealing with complex criminal defence cases, including high profile murders. She has an excellent reputation within the Court world and her professional expertise is highly regarded by barristers throughout the North West.
Jan Youds
Police Station Representative
Jan Youds
Caseworker
I am a legal assistant in JR Levins Solicitors’ criminal legal department. I have worked at the solicitors since 1988.
I regularly attend at police stations to advise Defendants under caution and I have substantial experience in all sorts of cases from the most straight forward to serious sexual offences and murder cases.
I am a fully accredited police station representative and a duty solicitor representative.
Rachel Day
Police Station Representative
Rachel Day
Caseworker
Dan Garner
Trainee Solicitor
Dan Garner
Caseworker
Dan graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2024 with a 2:1 degree in Law and is currently studying the LPC at the University of Law.
Dan joined JR Levins as an Assistant in the Criminal Department in January 2024 whilst completing the final stages of his law degree.
Dan has a keen interest in Civil Litigation, particularly in relation to personal injury and discrimination cases.
Hannah Gilford
Trainee Cilex
Hannah Gilford
Caseworker
Hannah has worked for JR levins for a number of years and you may mostly recognise her from Police Stations where she has a great deal of experience dealing with serious criminal matters. Hannah often represents a whole host of clients, adults and children as an accredited station representative and duty solicitor representative.
Hannah is often out at the police stations across Cheshire and Merseyside during the day and night, and when based in the office, works on our Magistrates files predominately.
Hannah is currently undertaking her CILEX Criminal Advocate Course.
Emma Murphy
Family Paralegal
Emma Murphy
Caseworker
Emma joined the firm in January 2025 as a Family Paralegal, after graduating from Liverpool John Moores University in 2024 with a First-Class Law degree.
Emma primarily works on public law children matters, while also assisting with some private law children matters and divorce cases. She is committed to ensuring clients feel supported and guided throughout what are often particularly difficult times in their lives.
Lucy Box
Criminal Paralegal & Trainee CILEX
Lucy Box
Caseworker
I am a Criminal Paralegal who began my career at the firm as a receptionist, progressing to my current role through the apprenticeship route. I am currently working towards my CILEX qualification, continuing to develop my legal knowledge and practical experience.
I regularly see clients and assist with the preparation of Magistrates’ Court trials, as well as supporting on Crown Court matters. I work closely with the team to ensure cases are prepared thoroughly and managed effectively.
Nikki Healy
Apprentice Paralegal
Nikki Healy
Caseworker
Nikki is an apprentice paralegal specialising in wills and lasting powers of attorney within the Wills and Probate team. She supports clients with the preparation of key legal documents and offers guidance through the often sensitive process of planning for the future.
Prior to joining the team, she gained valuable experience across other areas of the firm, giving her a strong foundation in legal practice. Nikki’s broad experience and approachable manner help her provide clear, compassionate support to clients during important personal and legal transitions.
Rebecca-Leigh Woodcock
Chartered Legal Executive Apprentice
Rebecca-Leigh Woodcock
Caseworker
Prior to joining the firm, Rebecca gained administrative experience through previous roles whilst independently studying to achieve her Law Degree.
Rebecca assists clients with a range of private client matters, including the preparation of wills and the administration of estates. Having seen first-hand the importance of being guided with clarity and compassion during the estate administration process, she recognises the value of clear communication and reassurance in what can often be emotionally challenging circumstances. She strives to provide guidance that is both practical and compassionate during some of the most sensitive aspects of her clients’ lives.
Management & Support
Angela White
Practice Manager
Angela White
Management & Support
Angela is the Practice Manager at JR Levins Solicitors and brings over 20 years’ experience working within the legal sector. She graduated from Lancaster University in 2003 with an LLB (Hons) in Law and joined the firm following her studies. Angela has previously held fee-earning roles in both the criminal and family law departments, giving her a broad understanding of client care and service delivery before transitioning into practice management. She has since further developed her expertise by completing an Associate Certificate in Legal Practice Management.
In her role, Angela provides operational leadership across the firm. She oversees firm-wide processes, supports departmental teams, and ensures the smooth running of day-to-day operations. She is particularly passionate about maintaining high standards of client service throughout the practice.
Outside of work, Angela is actively involved in the local community. She has held the role of Treasurer at a local rugby club for a number of years, serves as a School Governor, and supports Incubabies, a Wirral-based local charity.
Ruby Jordan
Marketing Co-ordinator
Ruby Jordan
Management & Support
Ruby supports the firm’s marketing activity across its departments and offices. She helps to build stronger processes and foundations for the firm’s marketing function, ensuring activity is clear, consistent and purposeful.
Her role includes creating website content, managing social media activity, supporting marketing campaigns and helping to identify new opportunities to reach clients.
Ruby enjoys using creative marketing to strengthen the firm’s local presence and connect with clients, colleagues and the wider community. She brings structure, creativity and fresh ideas to the firm’s marketing, helping to raise awareness of the positive work JR Levins is already doing and supporting its continued growth.
Outside of work, Ruby enjoys solo travelling and exploring new places, finding inspiration for creative projects along the way.
Bobby Woods
Wills & Probate Assistant
Bobby Woods
Management & Support
Bobby is a Legal Assistant in our Wills and Probate Department, providing administrative support to the team across a range of private client matters. Although new to the legal profession, he is developing his experience within the department and gaining a practical understanding of wills and estate administration.
His role focuses on administrative assistance, including file management, preparing correspondence and documents, coordinating appointments, and supporting the smooth running of matters from start to finish. He is organised, dependable, and committed to building his knowledge as he begins his career in law.
Outside of work, Bobby is a keen supporter of Everton F.C. and enjoys playing the sport in his spare time, having had the opportunity to travel abroad to play football.
Demi Dryhurst
Receptionist
Demi Dryhurst
Management & Support
Demi joined JR Levins full-time as a Receptionist in September 2025, after completing work experience with the firm earlier that year.
She has always had an interest in law, particularly business and criminal law. Before joining the firm, Demi studied BTEC Business and Criminology, alongside A Level Media.
In her role, Demi enjoys meeting clients, supporting the team, and learning more about the legal profession through real experience. Demi has quickly become a much-loved part of the team and is never afraid to get involved, which is why some might say she has earned her title as the official princess of JR Levins.
1993-2023
Sarah Simm
Sarah Simm
1993-2023
Sarah started at the firm in 2018 as an assistant in the Conveyancing Department, later transferring to the Private Client team.
Sarah had a friendly and approachable nature and was always willing to assist client and other members of staff.
Sarah will always be sadly missed by everyone here at JR Levins.
Best Dog
Stanley
Stanley
Best Dog
Stanley is our youngest member of staff and is distinctive insofar as he has absolutely no interest in the law. In fact, Stanley’s only interest is himself. He enjoys eating chicken, growling at male dogs and being the centre of attention. Stanley is an Evertonian.